The US Open has always been one of New York City’s biggest summer sporting events. Each year, more than 700,000 of his fans from around the world flock to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York to enjoy his two weeks of elite tennis at the final Grand Slam of the season.
You can enjoy this action on TV, but nothing beats attending the US Open in person. An overwhelming energy pulsates from the numerous outdoor courts, and the fame and mystique of the stadium are unmatched. Plus, there’s a huge collection of dishes from award-winning chefs, delicious beverages, and plenty of places to get a wide variety of merchandise.
Our guide will give you all the local tips for having the best time at the US Open. We know the inside and outside of the court. I tried it again this year. I’ve also sampled some honey deuces, so I know how to get the most out of my 2022 US Open experience.
When is the US Open?
The US Open main draw runs from Monday, August 29th through Sunday, September 11th.
what time is the session?
Day sessions begin each day at 11:00 AM ET and Night sessions begin at 7:00 PM ET.
During the daytime sessions, most of the matches are played on the outside courts and some on both stadium courts. The night session will consist mainly of matches on stadium courts, but there will also be some matches on outdoor courts.
when should i go?
Our hope is to go to the first week of the tournament. Monday and Tuesday will be his first round, Wednesday and Thursday will be his second round. With so many games going on these days, there is always action on the outside courts. That means you get the most out of your money.
Tickets for these early sessions also tend to be slightly cheaper, starting at around $70.
where should i sit
Here are some insider tips: If you go for the first few days, you should forget the stadium ticket. Ticketmaster and other ticketing sites offer a variety of options, including Louis Armstrong Stadium tickets, Grandstand tickets, Arthur Ashe Stadium tickets, and more.
You will then be asked to select your seat in the stadium of your choice. You get reserved seats in that stadium and then general admission to other stadiums and the grounds with the outer courts.
However, here’s the problem. I think it causes me to spend too much money.
If you opt for stadium tickets, Arthur Ashe is about $200+ per ticket, Louis Armstrong is $125+, and the Grandstand is $100+. Reserved seating is only available at selected stadiums, general admission for the rest of the time.
So unless you plan on spending the entire time sitting in the same seat at that one stadium, you’re far better off spending $70 to buy a general admission ticket. Access to all stadiums but no reserved seating. I have to sit in an empty seat. Given that we think the best part of the early days is walking around the ground, this is our preferred way to enjoy the US Open.
how do you get there?
by car: You can always choose to drive to the US Open, but be prepared to deal with some parking issues.You can park in two zones near the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, but if they are full You may be directed to park a short distance away at Citi Field (if there is no Mets game). Walking isn’t bad, but the city is hot these days. Either way, parking is about $30, so be prepared for that as well.
If you don’t want to park, you can always use Uber, Lyft, or some other kind of rideshare. Transport to the tennis center is easy, but it’s also about a 5 minute walk from the venue.
subway: Take the 7 train to Mets Willets Point and you’ll be at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. You have to walk the promenade from the metro to the center but it’s fine. You can catch his number 7 train from Court Square Station if you’re coming from Brooklyn, or from Times Square or Grand Central if you’re coming from Manhattan.
rail: If you don’t want to deal with subway transfers and don’t mind spending a little more money, you can take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) from Penn Station or Woodside to Mets Willets Point Station. If you’re taking New Jersey Transit to and from Long Island, this might be easier, but obviously it’s more expensive than just taking the subway.
What are the best foods to eat?
OK, you’re at the US Open. You’ve been walking the grounds and enjoying a great day of tennis, but now you’re ravenous. What should you eat? Good news. We went to the 2022 US Open Food Tasting Preview to sample all the food that this year’s Open has to offer so we can give you our top picks.
The Billie Jean King Tennis Center is home to a mix of restaurants such as Chef Alex Guarnacheri’s Fale and Chef David Burke’s Mojito, as well as the All-American Restaurant, where award-winning chefs still cook. There are many specials in the Open Food Village. You can’t get basic stadium burgers and fries here.
So what was the best thing we ate? What should you eat at the US Open?
- Field trip: Field Trip is James Beard Award winner and Harlem chef JJ Johnson’s favorite rice dish. This stall offers rice bowls topped with a variety of delicious options such as fried chicken and braised beef. They also serve grain salads and other lighter options for non-meat eaters.
- Poke the Yachty: If you’re feeling the heat in your afternoon session and need something fresh, you’ll love Poke Yachty’s poke bowls. I tried the classic tuna rice bowl (which I did when I spilled it myself) which had delicious chunks of tuna, rice that was soft but not mushy, and a soy sauce sesame dressing that I licked off my arm. There are also wonton crisps that give the bowl a fun crunch and texture variation.
- Korila BBQ: Korilla BBQ has been to the US Open before and is always one of our favorites. I had the Spicy Pork Rice Bowl, but I promise you all options do not include rice. The pork itself on top is not spicy, but it is full of umami. The corn on top of the bowl could have been omitted, but overall it was a very tasty dish.
- Melt shop: Melt Shop gave us a Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich. The chicken is crispy and the bread is from a ranch, so lightly toast it so it doesn’t get soggy. It’s decadent, but we loved every bite.
- Fuku: Speaking of decadence, Fuku offered multiple offerings accompanied by caviar and ranch. We’re not really caviar people, but the jalapeno chicken wings dip was very good. I didn’t even know they weren’t chicken until I read the menu.
- Taqueria Nixamal: This was my favorite too. Simple street tacos, but nothing wrong. They serve chicken and steak tacos, but the real winner might be the elote (street corn) served on half cobs on a stick. A puff of lime and it’s always the best offering.
- Fly fish: If you want a little indulgence, Fly Fish’s lobster rolls by Court 7 were just like New England. Large chunks of lobster and a lightly toasted and buttered roll. We got very little, but it was what we craved the most.
- Van Leeuwen Ice Cream: New this year is the trendy Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. Not much to say about it. He might be 90 degrees when he’s at the U.S. Open, but he makes very good ice cream. Vegan flavors are also available, so everyone can enjoy it. It was very long when we were there during the qualifying tournament, so expect lines to be long.
what should i drink
The official drink of the US Open is Honey Deuce, which consists of Gray Goose vodka, Chambolle raspberry liqueur, fresh lemonade, and three melon balls that look like tennis balls. You can order it frozen or on the rocks (although the bartender said the frozen one is stronger).
The US Open also serves Lavazza coffee, both espresso and cold brew, so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled all day long. Poke Yachty sells a refreshing pineapple green tea for those who want a little caffeine without going full cold brew.
The truth is, there’s no bad way to enjoy the US Open. It’s one of the most exciting sporting events, and you can enjoy it in your backyard in New York City. With same-day tickets available right away, it’s never too late to take a break from work, go to a night session after work, or spend the weekend with your family at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center.
If you choose to gamble at the event, be sure to return each morning at amNY to keep up with the 2022 US Open as we cover every day of the tournament with key games to watch and best bets.
